Police nab suspect using print from his severed finger

GLENDALE, Ariz., Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Authorities in Arizona said they identified a suspected thief by running the print from a severed finger left behind at the scene.

Glendale police said an air conditioning technician found large spools of copper wiring had been unraveled in the back of his truck Oct. 8 and there was a severed finger entangled in the wiring, KPHO-TV, Phoenix, reported Friday.

"I can't believe he didn't come back and get the finger, I would've come back and got the finger," Champion Air technician Bill Bratcher said.

Glendale police officer Tracey Breeden said police were able to get a print from the finger.

"They took a Popsicle stick and were able to attach it to that finger, and they were able to roll that finger and get a print on that finger," Breeden said.

Police said the fingerprint was identified as belonging to Joshua Goverman, 29, who was confirmed to be missing a finger when he was arrested a few days later.

Goverman initially told officers he lost his finger while working on his car, Breeden said.

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